username & ID: Myskx 875503
Clan/Tribe/Group: ShallowClan
Link to the Clan/Tribe/Group: Here!Prompt:There were six clans that split the territory in a region: PineClan, MoorClan, MarshClan, StreamClan, AlderClan, and HillClan. These six clans lived (mostly) harmoniously, with the occasional territorial dispute. After countless moons, the clans began to grow apart. No longer were they allies, but rather enemies. What comes next is thought by many to be a punishment from StarClan: a devastating flash flood, destroying all six territories, one by one. During this dire time, the clans were forced to come together as one. First, the clans provided shelter to those cats whose territory had already been flooded. Eventually, all six of the clans were united at the highest point in the territory, and as the water steadily rose, they all came to an agreement: they'd have to journey to find new territory, together.
The goal was to save as many lives as possible while pursuing a new territory. However, this was easier said than done. Many of the kits, elders, sick, and disabled were lost to the rapid waters. Many a life were also lost in attempt to save those who'd been swept away. As the group traveled and the flood pushed on, endless days of rain pouring their wrath among the clans, their numbers dwindled. One by one, the leaders of the clans were swept away in the brave act of attempting to save their clanmates. With the last leaders gone, the group of cats were left feeling hopeless. In the end, several cats from each clan stepped up to help lead the group, organizing small hunting patrols, and figuring out how to divide the small amount of prey that they were able to catch.
Lemonrose was one of those cats. He'd always been kindhearted, and he strived to see the best in every cat. When he was an apprentice, he lost his leg due to a badger attack whilst out hunting. It wasn't his own clan members who'd saved him from the badger, but a patrol from AlderClan. They had fought off the badger and carried Lemonrose (Lemonpaw at the time) back to PineClan camp. Ever since, Lemonrose had sworn to himself to strive to see the good in all cats, including those from enemy clans.
This being said, it was easy for Lemonrose to show his compassion towards the warriors from other clans. Some cats had a harder time when it came to overcoming their discrimination against the other clans. This, in turn, put Lemonrose in one of the leadership positions in guiding the clans to safety.
In the end, the clans arrived in a new territory after a moon of traveling. They were weak, shaken, and grieving, but grateful to be alive. After not long, the small group began to flourish again as they leaned on one another for strength and support. It would only be a short time before talk about choosing a leader began stirring. Most of the cats had one specific cat in mind who they preferred to lead them, and to Lemonrose's surprise, they'd chosen him.
Lemonrose firmly believed that if the cats in the clan were happy, there would be peace. However, without a place to visit StarClan, how would Lemonrose gain his nine lives?
An uneasiness began to spread along the newly formed clan. Had Starclan abandoned them, staying behind in their old territory? Some were convinced that this was the case, and others testified against it. Lemonrose himself was certain that Starclan was watching over them. His belief was confirmed when one night, while he was curled up in his nest, he found himself in an all-too-real feeling dream.
The sights that beholded him left Lemonrose's fur standing on end. There were cats. Many cats, all gathered around him. Their fur sparkled and shone as if they were lit with the stars themselves. The entirety of the dream felt surreal. Slowly, six starry figures stepped out from the crowd. Lemonrose felt a chill down his spine as he identified the six cats. They were the deceased leaders of each of the six clans. Each of them moved with an unearthly elegance as they approached him. Lemonrose's gaze flickered from one to the other, and eventually, his eyes locked with the leader of his previous clan. "Kestrelstar.." Lemonrose barely managed to choke out the words as his former leader gave him a smile and a slow nod of approval.
The dream was nearly overwhelming as the first of the six leaders stepped forward. Lemonstar recognized her as HillClan's former leader, Fallowstar. She spoke. Her words echoed with an unreal ring. "Young Lemonrose, I've been watching you closely, and you have guided many of my clan to safety when I could not. I give you a life for courage." As the she-cat gently pressed her starry nose to Lemonrose's forehead, he felt a dizzying surge of energy pulsate through his body.
After not long, the next leader approached. It was Smallstar, the previous leader of MoorClan. The older cat was beaming with newfound energy as he smiled down at Lemonrose. "I give a life for compassion, so that you may lead with kindness, rather than fear." And he pressed his nose to Lemonrose's forehead just as Fallowstar had.
Next, Nectarstar, the previous leader of MarshClan strode up to him, her youth shining brilliantly through her smile. "I give a life for intuition. May you use it only for the best. "
Next, the leaders of AlderClan and StreamClan approached him, one by one. Dapplestar, former leader of AlderClan, gave Lemonrose a life for wisdom, while Stingstar, former leader of StreamClan, gave him a life for youthfulness.
When it became time to receive his sixth life, his own former leader stepped forward: Kestrelstar. "Lemonrose, you have exceeded my expectations and have not only saved the lives of your clan, but of all of the others as well." The starry she-cat craned her head to look back at the other former leaders. "We are all grateful for your courage and drive." Lemonrose's eyes widened as his ears craned towards Ketrelstar. "I give you your sixth life for unity. You have shown us that you have a talent for bringing cats together. Use this to benefit your clan to your best abilities. I'm proud of you, Lemonrose."
Lemonrose was nearly tearing up as Kestrelstar stepped back, and he lifted his head. Who would give him his remaining three lives? Finally, a kitten waddled out of the crowd, and Lemonrose choked. "Sparkkit..!" His littermate, who had been carried away by a hawk when she was only three moons old. "Lemonrose!" The small she-cat mewed delightedly, newfound wisdom twinging her meow. "You've done a great job so far! I give you a life for dexterity!" Lemonrose dipped his head so that Sparkkit could press her tiny nose to his forehead.
The next cat that padded out of the crowd was an elder, whom Lemonrose ceased to recognize. "Hello, young one. I am Lightpelt. I give you a life for virtue, so that you may be led in the right direction as you lead your newfound clan." She pressed her worn nose to Lemonstar's forehead.
Finally, his clan's former medicine cat stepped forward, her eyes sparkling with compassion. "Lemonrose, I give you a life for integrity. I know that you will serve your clan well." The fur on his head tingled as her nose was pressed against his forehead. As he lifted his gaze once more, the starry crowd seemed to migrate towards him, and once again, Kestrelstar padded forward. Her voice boomed as she addressed Lemonrose. "I hail you by your new name, Lemonstar. Your previous life is no more. You have been given the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the leadership of your new clan, which StarClan names ShallowClan. Defend ShallowClan well; care for the young and the old, honor your ancestors, and honor the warrior code alike. Live each of your nine lives with pride and dignity."
All at once, the StarClan cats began to stir, and their voices echoed through the starry camp as they hailed him by his new name. "Lemonstar! Lemonstar! Lemonstar!"
As Lemonstar gazed around him, the voices began to fade, and the starry figures slowly dissipated before his eyes. He awoke in his nest, his fur standing on end as he lifted his head to find several cats gathered around his nest. "Are you alright, Lemonrose?" They asked. He brought himself to his paws slowly and nodded to the cats with a smile before leaping up onto the log in which clan announcements were made. "Everyone, gather around please." He started. He felt a sensation rush through his body as he looked down at the clan. He could feel the invisible gaze of StarClan that was upon him. " I have spoken to StarClan." He paused for a moment as there were gasps and cheers among the small group of cats. "Our humble group has been named ShallowClan, and I, Lemonstar."
As cheers and applause erupted from the gathered cats, Lemonstar had a feeling of Deja Vu as his new name was cheered. "Lemonstar! Lemonstar! LemonStar!".
[1,519 words!]
